sand blast or media blast?

[jsbgump]

I have the grill out of my 68 due to a cam change. I was anting to clean it up while it's out. Should i get it sandblasted or media blasted? Will sandblasting warp a grill? Just lookin for some suggestions. All help will be apreciated.

[dennislbrooks]

Unless you chemically treat rust --if any on it---sand is what they use for rust. I had my 67 grill sandblasted by "Able Sandblasting" Northwest Hwy and Loop 12 they do excellent work and I am sure there are others. If you have it sandblasted - before etch priming--knock it down with 3m maroon pads on a drill or like. Sand will get in the cracks/seams so vacuum/shake or whatever to get it all out.

[northcountry67]

I sandblasted my 67 GMC gril. Because the metal is shaped into small lines and there is really no large flat areas, sandblasting will not warp the grill. I sandblasted the inside of my gril, then took a wire wheel to the outside to remove the paint.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Media hands down if available in your area

[jsbgump]

I found a sandblasting place here local that will do it for 20 bucks

[northcountry67]

Unless the outside is very rusty, I would go with sand. The outer paint can be removed in a number of ways less expensive than media blasting. There is aircraft stripper, wire wheel or simply take some time and elbow grease and sand it with paper.

[jsbgump]

I'm doin it mainly to get the layers of paint off and what little surface rust there is on the backside of the grill.

[northcountry67]

It only took me about an hour to wire wheel the front and sandblast the back. I then pulled and filled a few small dents, sprayed it with a good metal etch, then sprayed on the shiny primer/surfacer from Sherwin Williams (one coat on the back and two on the front). This surfacer is weather proof, so the back can be left alone. I wet sanded the front and will soon spray a sealer and paint.

[jsbgump]

Mine is perfectly straight. Just want to reduce the layers of paint on it. It might have a few pits in it.

[extd56]

I use soda blasting, much cleaner and no warping.

[Fred T]

If the blaster knows what he is doing you will be okay. It can be warped with sandblasting if the pressure is too high or the spray gets concentrated in one area. For $20 I would assume that you're taking the risk on the blaster's ability, not him. It will depend on how you feel about his work.

[Southedisto]

I sandblasted the p outta mine, no warping or damage. Worked great, and painted it back up. Nice and smooth.